The End of Summer? Well - not really

Labor Day -- officially a salute to the American worker -- is often heralded as a "last hurrah" for beachgoers and the unofficial end of summer. But is it really? I'd contend it really depends on where you live and what you're used to.

Growing up in Upstate New York, Labor Day was not my favorite holiday. Summer was over - and the freedom that went along with it would give way to school in only a few days. Not only that, but early September often meant the end to warm summer afternoons as well. Psychologically, it was a classic case of "all downhill from here."

Having relocated a few times since then, first to Central Pennsylvania and now to Southeastern North Carolina - my mindset for Labor Day has certainly shifted. While in college at Penn State, Labor Day meant an end to the comparatively boring summer months and a welcomed return to school, but most importantly - it meant college football! What I came to realize as the best season of the year, even if the weather was getting worse.

Now having made a home here on the Carolina coast, what could be better than Labor Day? The oppresive heat of summer is largely over, and some of our 'best weather' lies ahead. And want to head to the beach? What better time than September? The water's warm, the air is pleasant, and with the kids back in school there's less competition to fight for a spot on the sand.

End of summer? Not for me. Sign me up for two more months of beach time, and a little less sweat on my brow!

As for today, hopefully you have plenty of outdoor plans to take advantage of the great weather we have in store. If you're instead celebrating this Labor Day by going to work - well, we feel you pain!